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Nantes without four important defense players

Entrerrios, Maqueda and Sayad didn't play in the victory against Selestat, while Vujic got injured. Montpellier will probably be without Captain Guigou

Because of a huge sports offer and the inabbility to show games, Canal+ have decided to to handball games Thursday nights. That's why since last season, the most interesting matches take place on Thursdays.

Today it's the match in Montpellier where the strong Nantes arrive. At this point, both teams have the maximum ammount of points, although Nantes' 32-27 victory against Selestet is more noteworthy because they played without Entrerrios, Maqueda and Sayad, as opposed to Montpellier's 26-22 victory against league novices Dijon. They were terrible final minutes for Patrick Canayer and his team who were in a 15-17 lead at the 48th minute, and then in the final 12 minutes they scored one goal and lost that game perod 5-1. Or to be more precise, even though it's a bit unbeliveable, Montpellier scored their last goal when the score board said 48-51 (Accambray). It was for 26-19. Canayer didn't exactly mix his team up because by the end Gajic, Accambray and Grebille all missed...


Be that as it may, the work was done, the points were not compromized, and something completely different takes place today.


-The team lacks stability and there's no room for mistakes - said carefully coach Canayer.


-The opponent is not always our difficulty. It doesn't mean I'm more nervous playing against Nantes, PSG  or Dijon. Our problem is not being constant and we can play well and badly.


Canayer said that he was very angry at some players after practice: 


They came without the right attitude, they didn't show the desire to be there.


He didn't mention any names, it was clear he wasn't happy.


Line man Tej got a small injury against Dijon, but he's going to play. Captain Michael Guigou has problems with his thumb, Canayer said he's in a lot of pain and he'll be on the bench, probably not play at all. An option for left wing is Brasilian Borges. Everyone else is ready, including goalkeeper Siffert, who just arrived in Nantes. Will he give some advice to Canayer?

-I don't ask the players things like that- said Montpellier's coach very clearly.

Despite abscences of some top players, Nantes secured points against Selestat. They were lead by wing players Toumi (8/9) and Rivera (5/7, 3/3 penalties). Skatar replaced Maqueo with a 5/19 from play, and Vujic replaced Entrerrios left back with 4/6. Skof took down 10 shots.

-Even though it's just the beginning, we started the season well. But we're going to Montpellier like last season, without a complete team, which is a bit frustrating - said coach Thierry Anti who today will be without Maqueda, Entrerrios, Sayad, but also Vujic, the latest victim.

Those are four important and not easily replaced players from the outside line. Plus, Nantes never beat Montpellier.

Entrerrios has problems with his calf, Maquedo with his knee, Sayad has been out for a while now, while Vujic injured his groin.

-I really want to play, but the doctors won't allow it - said the Croatian player.

Anti is thinking ahead, aware that he has a hell of a schedule ahead of him, with the league, the EHF up and the League cup.

-Of there's frustration not being able to play with the full line up, but we have to show what we can do with what we have. But it's true we'd like to have the entire team.

Without the above mentioned names, the outside line will lean heavily on middle back Claire, right back Skatar and junior national team players Nyateu and Camarer who played at the World Championship in Bosnia, where theyy took home the bronze medal, but that duo can hardly help in a game like this.

This should be a cat-and-mouse game in Montpellier today. Nantes are missing four important backcourt players, which makes for more than half their team's strength. It's simply not the same Nantes anymore. Last season they played their last fixture at Montpellier. Nantes played without Entrerrios and Sayad, their two left backs, and lost 33-24. Those two are out for today's match as well, while Maqueda and Vujic have joined them on the sidelines. Their replacements don't have what it takes to confront Montpellier, who are the far superior team with the likes of Omeyer, Simonet, Accambray, Kavticnik, Dolenec, Gajic, Hmam and Tej in their ranks.